Van Gogh trial begins in Amsterdam amid tight security

[JURIST] The trial of Islamist radical Mohammed Bouyeri for the November 2004 murder [BBC report] of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh [Wikipedia profile] opened with high security in place on Monday in Amsterdam. The controversial Van Gogh had published columns and a short film criticizing abuses against women under Islam; his killing provoked over 150 retaliatory attacks on local Islamic mosques and schools and prompted changes in Dutch anti-terrorism laws [JURIST report]. Bouyeri's lawyer told the court Monday that his client, who hoped to die as a martyr, did want him to present a defense, and that he "takes complete responsibility for his actions". Deutsche Welle has more.

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